Simple Assessment of the 5-Tool Player

By Connor R Sullivan

In high-school baseball, discovering a 5-tool player doesn't happen every season. Well-rounded players are few and far between. A good batter practices hitting drills daily. Maybe he watches an instructional hitting DVD. A good infielder takes grounders everyday. A talented outfielder works on his throwing accuracy. A great base runner studies the moves of opposing pitchers. Although every ball player is different, and possesses varying strengths and weaknesses, every 5-tool player has a few things in common.

One trait that all 5-tool players have is versatility. Remember that kid in grade school who, during a pick-up game, was all over the field, catching every ball? He threw out every runner at any base. He batted the ball hard every time he came to the plate, usually for a home-run. He could do it all. This is basically the very definition of a 5-tool player. His versatility is evident because his skills are obvious. He is the rare player a coach can put into any position at any point in a ball game. His batting skills are valuable, whether it's a situation where power is needed, or simply a make -contact opportunity. His speed can help a team, whether with a stolen base, or tracking down a ball in the outfield. The 5-tool player can be the MVP of any team. At least, that is, if he is coach-able. This leads to another point about well-rounded ball players.

Every developed 5-tool player has access to good instruction. Most truly gifted athletes have a God-given ability. They are just naturally good at their sport. Usually, when they are young, they will take an interest in a particular area, sometimes several areas, and that is where they typically excel. At some point though, every young player needs the instruction of a good coach. A coach can be just the one to fine- tune a players skills. He can take the raw talent and develop that talent through a trained eye and through a mature outlook. The input of a coach can help a player with skill specific improvements, or can help a player in areas which are not directly related to the sport he plays. Such things as self-confidence, self-control, and the ability to be a good leader are all things a coach can model for his player.

A third area where a 5-tool player shines above his peers is in his strong work ethic. It can be tempting, especially for a high-school ball player, to rest on his reputation of being a star. Those athletes who find success for the long term are those athletes who put in the long hours of practice. The mentality of the hard worker will serve him well in his athletic career. Even the best players are capable of slumps. But the disciplined player will be in a good position to overcome. He will run out every ground ball. He will watch hours of tape. He will take extra batting practice. Also, even the best players can succumb to injury. If an injury does occur, the player with the disciplined routine will be very successful with a rehabilitation regimen. Not only is a strong work ethic important in the physical sense, but mentally as well. The player who is both mentally and physically disciplined will be a great asset to a team.

Connor R. Sullivan ordered copies of a hitting DVD to help some of the junior the kids on his baseball team. He also set up hitting drills to help them practice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connor_R_Sullivan

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